Baba,
My teacher informs me
All children to remain
At home, and study there!
Baba
I have heard
A monster of a man
With black moustache
Will explode the bomb here
All children will die!!
Baba,
Why are they going to kill us?
What is our mistake?
Why angry they are with us?
Baba,
Shall I give him my doll?
Or all my rainbow colours from the blue box
The one I received from you, the present
On my last birthday
Or my hair band, the beautiful one
Imbued in red, with butterflies
Shall I give him that one as well!
Will that be enough for this man?
Not to kill us
Remember Baba, my hands,
The old injury, once
The excruciating pain
As little blood flowed through
Torrents of rain in my eyes
What is this bomb like?
Will the damage be huge?
Will it hurt more?
I guess the pain will be more
Baba, will I be there to cry for
My own pain or will you?
Baba, fearful I am of this monster!
By: Atif Javaid Atif
Translation: Kashkin
Poem image and translation reproduced here with permission: Kashkin
Picture of victim of a terrorist attack at a market in Pakistan: AP/K.M. Chaudary
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